Cassandra wandered across the grounds, watching as preparations for the ball were made. There were more people milling about than usual, and Cassandra was glad for the noise. It had been so quiet, she had had trouble sleeping. Taking a book with her, she walked out towards the stream, and sat on a fallen tree to read. Cassandra soon became so caught up in the story, she didn't notice Colonel Tavington approaching until stood directly in front of her.
"Good afternoon Colonel" Cassandra said with a hesitant smile.
"Good afternoon Miss Davies" Tavington replied, with another of his slight bows. "Am I correct in assuming that you have not forgotten our… engagement tonight?"
"You are correct" Cassandra said with a sigh. "Although you and I both know you wish that I would"
Tavington studied her for a moment, obviously perplexed by her reaction. "I'm not sure I understand" he said finally before inclining his head to the tree on which she sat, "May I?" he asked catching her off guard.
"Of course!" she said with a slight laugh, as she closed her book, and turned to give him her undivided attention.
"What did you mean by your statement? Do you think I do not wish your company tonight?" Colonel Tavington asked looking almost thoughtful as he studied her.
"Well yeah" Cassandra said, running a hand through her dark hair. "You looked less than pleased last night when you were ordered to take me to the ball"
Colonel Tavington's eyes flashed for a moment, but the emotion, if that is what it was, was gone before Cassandra could be certain it was there. He watched Cassandra wearily for a moment before he finally responded,
"I simply don't think a man such as myself should be seen in the company of a suspected spy" he said finally.
"Oh, we're back to that are we?" Cassandra snapped, her temper flaring. "What will it take to convince you that we're on the same side?" sort of.
Colonel Tavington's eyebrows winged up at her waspish response. Forget it he told himself. Silly American girl.
"Have you no idea of the… talk …. That will be had when we appear together? For both our sakes, I wish General Cornwallis had ordered you to remain in your room instead"
Cassandra actually laughed at that. "And do you really think I would listen Colonel? There is so little here for me to do it seems, do you honestly think I would miss an opportunity to get out and interact with people?"
"You would if you were so ordered" Tavington replied curtly, causing another bubble of laughter to escape Cassandra's lips.
"Yeah ok" she said shaking her head. "You can believe that if you want"
Tavington watched the girl, at a loss. She was an insufferable, arrogant, beautiful, young thing. And he seemed to unnerve her every bit as much as she did him. Trying to change the subject, Tavington cleared his throat.
"What were you doing out here Miss Davies?" he asked as cordially as he was able.
"Reading" Cassandra held up the book. "Obviously"
Tavington bit back the remark on the end of his tongue. Who did she think she was to talk to him like that? He did not take sass from his men, he certainly was not going to take it from this woman.
"I wasn't aware that you could read Miss Davies" he replied, a small smirk on his face, as her eyes widened, a lovely red blush appearing on her cheeks.
"You are impossible!" she all but screeched at him. "Why did you come out here then? I've told you, I'm going tonight, with you as I've been so ordered" she threw the words back in his face. "Now go away!"
Tavington stood, but continued to stand there, watching her with a mix of curiosity and amusement.
"So you can read, and you ride. Any other hidden talents Miss Davies?" he asked suppressing a smile when she glared up at him.
"I can write. I write all the time." she spat before the light blush returned to her cheeks. "Or I did… when I was home….." she trailed off, her eyes turning thoughtful.
"And what did you write?" Colonel Tavington asked her, seeming genuinely interested.
"I kept a diary" she said softly, unable to meet his gaze. "A sort of chronicle of my life I suppose you could say" she sighed and bit her lower lip. "But the book is long gone by now" she added to herself.
Colonel Tavington studied the girl for a moment in silence. She looked so sad there, for just that fragment of time, that he felt something stir inside of him. A sort of pity he supposed, that the girl should have lost her family because of her loyalty to the crown. Cassandra looked up at him for a moment, and was surprised to see him watching her.
"Is there something else you wanted Colonel?" she asked, her words coming out a bit harsher than she had intended.
"No, I suppose not Miss Davies" Tavington replied softly. "I'll take my leave now, and I will see you tonight, eight o'clock Miss Davies" he said with a hint of what might have been a smile. "Don't be late".